In which type of natural selection , individuals at both extremes of the distribution are rejected ?

Options

A. Stabilizing selection
B. Directional selection
C. Diversifying selection
D. Disruptive selection

Answer

To solve the question, "In which type of natural selection, individuals at both extremes of the distribution are rejected?", we will analyze the different types of natural selection and identify the correct one.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Natural Selection**:
- Natural selection is a process in evolution where individuals that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.

2. **Types of Natural Selection**:
- There are three main types of natural selection: stabilizing selection, directional selection, and disruptive (or diversifying) selection.

3. **Analyzing Stabilizing Selection**:
- In stabilizing selection, individuals with phenotypes near the mean (average) are favored. This means that those at both extremes of the distribution (the very high and very low phenotypes) are rejected or eliminated.
- This type of selection reduces variation and maintains the status quo for a particular trait.

4. **Analyzing Directional Selection**:
- In directional selection, one extreme phenotype is favored over others. This leads to a shift in the population's phenotype distribution towards that favored extreme.
- Here, individuals at one extreme are favored, while those at the other extreme are rejected.

5. **Analyzing Disruptive Selection**:
- Disruptive selection, also known as diversifying selection, favors individuals at both extremes of the phenotypic range while rejecting those with average phenotypes.
- This results in a bimodal distribution where individuals at the mean are eliminated.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Given the definitions and characteristics of the three types of natural selection, the type in which individuals at both extremes of the distribution are rejected is **stabilizing selection**.

### Final Answer:
**Stabilizing selection** is the type of natural selection in which individuals at both extremes of the distribution are rejected.

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